THE fast food industry will meet with the NSW government and public health experts for talks today triggered by concern over the community's rising level of obesity.
Former premier Bob Carr will co-chair the NSW Food Forum, where the agenda includes proposals such as listing fat and calorie information alongside meals offered on fast food menus.The NSW Government initiative follows a campaign by Sydney-based The George Institute for Global Health, which has highlighted the elevated levels of salt contained in most fast food meals.Bruce Neal, Professor of Medicine at the University of Sydney and senior director at The George, said the talks were a "great opportunity" to improve the nutrition of fast food and possibly without the need for new regime of industry regulation.Australia was now lagging behind the US and the UK which had introduced salt reduction targets for 80 different categories of food, he said.
"Prof Neal is calling for industry agreement to reduce the salt content of fast food meals.This would ensure a benefit for all fast food consumers, he said, and not just those "few motivated people" who could be persuaded by improved nutritional labelling to buy a healthier option.The fast food industry is expected to announce a new partnership with the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) - a Quick Service Restaurant Forum within the AFGC that would focus on nutrition and health issues.
Industry takes the growing levels of obesity and chronic disease seriously and recognises the need to work with stakeholders to reduce salt and saturated fats and improve consumer information.
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